THE MUDDY BUMS (aka "the Clarty Ars#ses") MOUNTAIN BIKING IN NORTHUMBERLAND AND BEYOND

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Kildale, North Yorkshire Sunday 5th September 2010

Whos out:-Arthur, Stephen G,, IanA,Isobel,Suzanne,Kevin,Graham and Terry H

Weather, Warm and Breezy

Miles 22 to 24 depending on whose milometer you believe

Route:- Kildale to Kildale, sorry for the lack of detail due to the absence of a map or GPS equipment.

A beautiful sunny morning and a ride starting in a southerly location for a change, 8 very eager riders gathered extra early 9.30, unfortunately the coffee shop didnt open until 11.00 so it was up and off at 10.00 prompt.

Todays ride was a long time coming as we havent seen Terry H for about twelve months due to a mystery illness which has kept him off the bike (for serious stuff) fortunately or unfortunately it hadnt subdued his appetite, so a more rounded Terry led off for the first of many ascents of the day.

First mechanical of the day Terry's recently replaced chain wasnt happy on the Granny (sucking chains) so being super fit he rode in middle for the rest of the day.

Second mechanical which ran in parallel with the first, similar problem for Arthur, who informed us that he has just recently built a wheel in his room at the travel lodge over a couple of nights last week. (Apparently the staff were a bit confused over he oily marks on the bed sheets not he usual stains).

No such luck for Arthur who turned and headed for home after about an hour. The rest of us carried on ascending excellent natural single tracks with many stone step ups and boulders to navigate around. A cracking lunch stop with stunning views down the valley

Some of the descents were near enough impossible for mere mortals with big step downs hidden by the lush heather, Terry waited at the more severe drops to offer guidance and encouragement (read have a laugh at the fallers and hesitators) great fun with loud shouts of laughter and screams of fright accompanied the seven descenders as they miraculously arrived at the bottom each having three falls major and minor without having sustained any injuries.

Many of the climbs also required maximum concentration picking our way through loose rocks and gravel.

A high speed descent into Kildale and straight to the cafe for tea and cakes 3.30pm finish

Great ride, excellent banter especially of Graham

Cheers Terry, more again soon please.  Ian A